Full marks to TNT Sports
As a teenager in the seventies, my interest in motorcycle racing was inspired by reading my brother's Motor Cycle News and Motor Cycle Weekly who provided reasonable coverage of the Grand Prix scene. Apart from the occasional treat of the British GP highlights or the Transatlantic Trophy races, shown a week later on World of Sport or Grandstand, that was our only media access to our sport.
In 1978, as my then favourite rider Kenny Roberts fought for both the 250cc and 500cc titles in his first season in GPs, I had to patiently wait until the papers arrived on the Wednesday morning to find out the results. The only detailed access we had to information about riders or the bikes would come from articles or interviews from monthly magazines like Bike or Motorcycle Sport, which a lot of my meagre student cash was spent on. I am now fortunate to attend most of the European MotoGP rounds as a photo journalist but for various reasons have been unable to be present at so many in 2025.
As a consequence I have therefore watched nearly every session of the excellent coverage provided by TNT Sports when not there in person. I couldn't help but compare their live commentary on every single second of track action with the tiny amount of copy and blurred stills I had to satisfy my craving as a young fan. We are truly spoilt as MotoGP fans nowadays. Obviously, since the arrival of satellite TV over 30 years ago, we have seen extensive coverage of motorcycle racing for some time but they have too often patronised their audiences with uneducated and uninteresting commentary.
In recent years I have actually turned the sound off watching the BBC's coverage to avoid shouting at the commentator, who knew less about MotoGP than I did about his Australian car racing career, selling potential new fans short with his lack of experienced insight. Even TNT Sports, in its early days as BT Sport, had a spell of equally annoying presenters who knew so little about bike racing and sometimes made no secret of the fact they would rather have been watching rugby or another sport they were more accustomed to. Now, however, it must be said that their current coverage and presenting team is, in my opinion, faultless.
They have struck the perfect balance with their race coverage, making it is as interesting for the new fan as it is for the bike racing nerds like myself. The experienced racers, Messrs Hodgson, Laverty and Guintoli all have different yet incredibly engaging personalities and impart views and insights which would be missed by any pundits who did not have the considerable experience these guys possess. All delivered with a delightful balance of humour and clear passion for the sport.
I have to admit to being slightly concerned when the encyclopaedic Gavin Emmet moved from his pit lane reporter duties to to be the main commentator but I was quickly put at ease. Despite his replacement, Natalie Quirk, not having a background in the sport, it was never evident. She quickly built the necessary relationships with the right people in the paddock and is not frightened to quiz them with intelligent, searching questions that we all want to ask. A perfect addition to the team.
The whole package is perfectly orchestrated by the brilliant Suzi Perry, whose racing knowledge is a match for even the most ardent MotoGP fan. She controls and encourages the banter between the former racers with an incredible relaxed expertise that is extremely entertaining. Suzi has perfected the art of bringing the best out of all of her co-presenters and pundits who all flourish under her guidance. Almost as if they're off camera conversations just seamlessly continue when in front of the microphones.
So credit where credits due TNT Sports, whilst it can never be the same as being their in person, your coverage deserves full marks from me and I'm sure thousands of other MotoGP fans sat here with our beers or cuppas intently watching and delighting in every second of this great TV.